Page 21 - BOSS Today Issue 15

tanley Vaughan says he was the industry. the trustees are “For a social society to last 100 In fact, winning a lifetime
Stotally surprised to hear his mostly retired “notables” from years is no mean feat,” he says. award for the second time
name called out as the winner the industry (with the exception too true. has also caused Stanley to
of the Lifetime Achievement of Edward Cheshire and Frances He says his enthusiasm for reminisce about what he did
Award at this year’s BOSS Awards Stephen), but he would certainly staying connected with the during his working career to
“I was sitting quietly at my table like to see younger people industry, even if he has now deserve it the first time. A major
enjoying a glass or two of wine, put their names forward to be stood down at BOSS Benevolent achievement was getting Rexel
being careful not to drink too considered. “the day-to-day Fund chairman, stems partly from to win the Marketing Award
much before doing my stint activities of the fund are all the fact that he does not really for companies of between
on the raffle and auction,” he managed by the chairman, the have any major hobbies, other £2m and £10m turnover in the
says, “when Geoff Betts started vice-chairman and the secretary,” than photography. “I have to say Chartered Institute of Marketing
introducing the award and I he says. “As a trustee, all that is I am not a gardener,” he says, “nor Awards in 1975. “this was open
realised he was talking about me.” required is two days a year plus do I know one end of a hammer to companies in all industries
It was a surprise partly because help with fundraising activities.” from the other!” and Rexel was the first and
lifetime achievement awards, as the Society of Old Friends, He remains chairman of the only company in the offices
their name suggests, are only meanwhile, is something a bit Gerrards Cross Probus Club and supplies field to win it,” he says.
supposed to be handed out different: a networking club the local travel Club. In fact, one But another major success was
once in anybody’s lifetime, and for senior executives in the activity he and his wife have getting StABILO to win the
Stanley, who turns 80 this year, office supplies industry whose really enjoyed for over 40 years Manufacturer’s Award at the
has actually already received one membership is restricted to 150 up until very recently is long-haul BOSS Awards three years in a row
before. people, with new members travel. “there are few places in during the 1990s.
But the previous award, he only being invited in. the the world we have not visited,” All in all, it shows that this
says, was back in 1997 from Society holds eight functions he says. is a man who can look back
the Stationery Trade Review and a year including three dinners. that is a luxury that is well with pride on a life of fine
related to his “working life”, which But unlike many other such deserved for a man with two achievements.
included stints as marketing membership organisations, it “lifetimes” behind him.
director for Rexel and managing has a history going back over
director of StABILO. 100 years, and as a result can
the fact that he has now boast an impressive line up of
received a second lifetime speakers at its events. Back in the
award to cover what he has early days these included John
been doing since he retired is Buchan, of the 39 Steps fame, and
a reflection of the huge impact Compton Mackenzie, one of the
that he continues to have on founders of the Scottish National
the industry, as a chairman for Party who also wrote Whisky
the past 12 years of the board of Galore and Monarch of the Glen.
trustees of the BOSS Benevolent Coming more up to date, the
Fund, and as secretary for the society has also invited Barbara
past 22 years of the Society of Cartland, Lord Mountbatten, Ken
Old Friends. Livingstone, Jeffrey Archer, and
Although he has now tony Robinson to speak, while
stepped down from being BOSS its most recent guest was none
Benevolent Fund chairman, other than “Pub Landlord” Al
he remains a trustee, and is Murray. You can’t get more up-to-
looking forward to organising date than that.
the BenGolf event again in 2013. Stanley’s proudest moment
He says the Benevolent Fund during his retirement was in
continues to provide a vital fact organising the Society’s Stanley Vaughan receives his award
role in helping people within centenary celebrations in 2009.

December 2012/January 2013 | BOSS TODAY 21

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